Chevrolet has introduced the 2017 COPO Camaro, ahead of its 2016 SEMA Show debut.

Extending the production legacy that was restarted in 2012, the new COPO Camaro will once again be designed to compete in NHRA’s Stock Eliminator classes. For this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the American automaker took serial number 01 of 69 and turned it into a bit of a show car with a unique “anodized” concept version of the production Hyper Blue Metallic paint. It also features a supercharged 350 engine and custom Weld racing wheels. The production race cars will be fitted with racing chassis and suspension components, including a solid rear axle system in place of the regular production independent rear axle.

Racers can select from a variety of supercharged and naturally aspirated engines, including a supercharged 5.7-liter engine, a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter mill and a 6.2-liter direct-injected engine. All engines are backed by an SFI-approved ATI TH400 three-speed automatic transmission.

In keeping with another tradition, the SEMA COPO Camaro will be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction early next year with proceeds benefiting United Way.

Also heading to the 2016 SEMA Show is the Camaro SS Drag Race Development Program test vehicle. According to the American automaker, the “test vehicle was built to mimic the typical stair-step enhancements many amateur racers make with their production Camaro SS models, including swapping the differential for a numerically higher ratio and adding horsepower-building components such as a cam-and-heads package to push the SS’s LT1 engine to more than 530 horsepower – and about 600 horsepower with a power adder.”

Chevrolet engineers have made over 100 passes down the quarter mile with the development car with a best quarter-mile time of 10.685 at 125.73 mph. In addition, the test vehicle has achieved a best 60-foot time of 1.425 seconds and an eighth-mile time of 6.764 at 100.85 mph.

Both vehicles will be part of Chevrolet’s display at this week’s SEMA Show.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/10/chevy-continues-to-conquer-the-quarter-mile-with-limited-edition-model.html/feed0more]]>Chevy Gets 5,500 Orders for COPO Camaro, Only 69 Will be Builthttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/02/2016-chevrolet-copo-camaro-in-high-demand.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/02/2016-chevrolet-copo-camaro-in-high-demand.html#respondWed, 03 Feb 2016 19:12:42 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=373030Chevy Gets 5,500 Orders for COPO Camaro, Only 69 Will be BuiltThere's a lot of disappointed shoppers hoping to get their hands on a 2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro. more]]> [See image gallery at www.autoguide.com]

There are a lot of disappointed shoppers hoping to get their hands on a 2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro.

At General Motors’ unveiling event for its new Performance and Racing Center in Pontiac, Michigan, the American automaker revealed that more than 5,500 people wanted to get their hands on a 2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro. But like the last four years, Chevrolet is only producing 69 units for purchase, meaning there’s a lot of drag racers being left at the starting line.

The new COPO Camaro made its debut at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and is configured to compete in the NHRA Stock and Super Stock classes. As a full-on drag car, it comes with racing-tuned chassis pieces and a solid rear axle. Those lucky enough to get their hands on one get to choose from a trio of V8 engines that includes 5.7-, 6.2- and 7.0-liter options.

The first production Gen Six COPO Camaro sold at a recent Barrett-Jackson auction in January, netting $300,000 with the proceeds going to the United Way. According to Jim Campbell, GM vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, production of the COPO Camaro is kept low to keep interests high. Naturally, enthusiasts can build their own COPO Camaro by purchasing a rolling chassis and a crate motor, but it doesn’t have the same authenticity and recognition as a collectible compared to the real thing.

Continuing a tradition that began in 2012 with the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, the American automaker has unveiled the Gen Six COPO Camaro at the 2015 SEMA Show.

The dedicated drag car was built with assistance from NHRA Camaro Funny Car driver Courtney Force, who visited the COPO build center before creating a custom appearance for the 2016 COPO Camaro SEMA show car. This particular race car will be auctioned off at a Barrett-Jackson sale next year, with the proceeds going to United Way.

For the 2016 model year, Chevrolet will limit production to just 69 units and like previous iterations, the new COPO Camaro is designed to compete in the NHRA Stock and Super Stock Eliminator classes. Benefiting from a lighter and stronger body structure of the Gen Six Camaro, the COPO Camaro has its structural rigidity increased by 28 percent while the body-in-white mass has been reduced by 133 pounds. In addition, it offers greater aerodynamic performance compared to its predecessor.

As for the show car, it features a Red Hot exterior paint shade along with Courtney Force-signature graphics and red-accented grille trim. Under the carbon fiber high-rise hood is a concept 350 racing engine equipped with a Whipple 2.9L supercharger.

Those looking to get themselves a 2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro can select from a variety of supercharged and naturally aspirated LS- and LT-family engines based on their intended NHRA Stock and Super Stock classes. Options include a supercharged 5.7-liter engine, a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter engine and an all-new 6.2-liter LT-based engine. All powerplants are paired to a racing-prepped Turbo 400 three-speed automatic transmission.

“With the new Gen Six Camaro as its foundation, the 2016 COPO Camaro begins the next chapter of an historic racing legacy,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “It’s great to have Courtney Force on Team Chevy and to work with her on the design of the new COPO Camaro show car. Most important, her effort will help raise money for a great cause.”

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/11/gen-six-chevrolet-copo-camaro-limited-to-69-units.html/feed0more]]>Camaro Z/28, COPO Camaro Raise $1.35M for Charityhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/01/first-2014-chevrolet-camaro-z28-sells-650k-video.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/01/first-2014-chevrolet-camaro-z28-sells-650k-video.html#commentsMon, 20 Jan 2014 12:02:49 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=230353Camaro Z/28, COPO Camaro Raise $1.35M for CharityThe first Chevrolet 2014 Camaro Z/28 sold for $650,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Given how big of a Chevy enthusiast Rick Hendrick is, it’s no surprise that the winning bid went to him. Hendrick will receive the first retail production Z/28 sporting a 7.0-liter V8 engine with 505 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque.... more]]>

The first Chevrolet 2014 Camaro Z/28 sold for $650,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Given how big of a Chevy enthusiast Rick Hendrick is, it’s no surprise that the winning bid went to him. Hendrick will receive the first retail production Z/28 sporting a 7.0-liter V8 engine with 505 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque. The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 will be priced from $75,000 when it hits dealerships later this year. All proceeds from the Z/28 auction will go to benefit Cornerstone Schools which has provided the children in Detroit an excellent education for over 21 years.

The 2014 Chevrolet COPO Camaro netted $700,000 for the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans and is a drag-only race car. The new COPO Camaro can be had with either a supercharged 350 cubic-inch V8 or a naturally aspirated 369- or 427-cubic-inch engine.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Performance COPO Camaro

GALLERY: 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/01/first-2014-chevrolet-camaro-z28-sells-650k-video.html/feed4more]]>COPO Camaro, First Z/28 Bound for Barrett-Jacksonhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/01/first-chevrolet-camaro-z28-copo-camaro-heading-barrett-jackson-auction.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/01/first-chevrolet-camaro-z28-copo-camaro-heading-barrett-jackson-auction.html#respondFri, 17 Jan 2014 13:02:19 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=230143COPO Camaro, First Z/28 Bound for Barrett-JacksonThe first production 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and COPO Camaro will be heading to the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale to raise money for charity. The 2014 COPO Camaro will be offered on Friday, January 17 and will be number one of 69 for the 2014 model year. According to Chevrolet, it will be the only COPO... more]]>

The first production 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and COPO Camaro will be heading to the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale to raise money for charity.

The 2014 COPO Camaro will be offered on Friday, January 17 and will be number one of 69 for the 2014 model year. According to Chevrolet, it will be the only COPO Camaro to have the Ice Blue Metallic satin paint job. Under the hood will be a 5.7-liter supercharged V8. Proceeds from the COPO Camaro will go to benefit the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans.

The rights to purchase the first Camaro Z/28 will be auctioned off the following day, which suggests the first production Z/28 hasn’t been built yet. The Z/28 auction will have its proceeds benefiting Detroit’s Cornerstone Schools.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Performance COPO Camaro

GALLERY: 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/01/first-chevrolet-camaro-z28-copo-camaro-heading-barrett-jackson-auction.html/feed0more]]>2013 COPO Camaro Recalled Over Roll-Away Concernshttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/12/copo-camaro-recalled-roll-away-concerns.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/12/copo-camaro-recalled-roll-away-concerns.html#respondWed, 18 Dec 2013 21:31:03 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=2263972013 COPO Camaro Recalled Over Roll-Away ConcernsChevrolet is recalling 59 model year 2013 COPO Camaros over concerns that the car’s park gear may fail, allowing the COPO Camaro to roll away. The COPO Camaro is a non-street legal car that is built with the intended purpose of being a drag racer, and is fitted with a high-performance Powerglide automatic transmission. The issues... more]]>

Chevrolet is recalling 59 model year 2013 COPO Camaros over concerns that the car’s park gear may fail, allowing the COPO Camaro to roll away.

The COPO Camaro is a non-street legal car that is built with the intended purpose of being a drag racer, and is fitted with a high-performance Powerglide automatic transmission. The issues stems with the transmissions park gear, which is faulty and may allow the car to pop out of gear and subsequently roll away if parked on a hill.

NHTSA is overseeing this recall, a slightly strange move considering the government body is responsible for road safety, and this car is not even road legal. Even so, NHTSA will make sure that all 59 cars are brought in and fixed by Chevy.

Customers will be contacted by ATI Performance Products, the company responsible for the upgrades on the COPO Camaro, and will have their vehicles serviced at Chevrolet dealers, free of charge.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/12/copo-camaro-recalled-roll-away-concerns.html/feed0more]]>Camaro Rolling Chassis Offered by GM in Limited Runhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/03/camaro-rolling-chassis-offered-by-gm-in-limited-run.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/03/camaro-rolling-chassis-offered-by-gm-in-limited-run.html#respondMon, 25 Mar 2013 19:36:37 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=188285Camaro Rolling Chassis Offered by GM in Limited RunStarting Thursday, March 28, Chevrolet will offer a limited run of NHRA-certified rolling chassis designed for drag racing. The chassis will join the COPO Camaro in Chevrolet’s drag racing family and will cost $55,000 and will be hand-built in the same Oshawa, Canada facility that builds the COPO. “This is a great opportunity to buy... more]]>

Starting Thursday, March 28, Chevrolet will offer a limited run of NHRA-certified rolling chassis designed for drag racing.

The chassis will join the COPO Camaro in Chevrolet’s drag racing family and will cost $55,000 and will be hand-built in the same Oshawa, Canada facility that builds the COPO.

“This is a great opportunity to buy a factory-built foundation for a competitive Camaro race car, saving racers the time of building their own from the ground up and offering them the opportunity to compete with a piece of Chevrolet history, because we’re only going to build a few of them,” said Jim Campbell, General Motors U.S. Vice President of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “Add your powertrain assembly and you’ve got a race car that’s ready to tackle the drag strip.”

As a rolling chassis, the unit is sold without an engine, transmission and other necessary drivetrain components. Buyers will be able to choose what powers their drag car, but Chevrolet will also sell all the needed parts separately.

What it does come with, on the other hand, are racing seats, factory glass, head and tail lights, an NHRA-approved roll cage. production-style gauges a racing switch panel a headliner and carpeting.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/03/camaro-rolling-chassis-offered-by-gm-in-limited-run.html/feed0more]]>2013 Chevy COPO Camaro Gets New Engine Options, Manual Transmissionhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/03/2013-chevy-copo-camaro-gets-new-engine-options-manual-transmission.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/03/2013-chevy-copo-camaro-gets-new-engine-options-manual-transmission.html#respondFri, 08 Mar 2013 17:41:43 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=1859112013 Chevy COPO Camaro Gets New Engine Options, Manual TransmissionThe COPO Camaro is getting some tweaks for the 2013 model year, which will see 69 of the drag-racing Chevys built. The changes include two new engine options, a 325-hp 5.7-liter V8 and a 375-hp 6.4-liter V8, which join last year’s 7.0-liter V8 that puts out 425 hp. Other new options on the COPO Camaro include a... more]]>

The COPO Camaro is getting some tweaks for the 2013 model year, which will see 69 of the drag-racing Chevys built.

The changes include two new engine options, a 325-hp 5.7-liter V8 and a 375-hp 6.4-liter V8, which join last year’s 7.0-liter V8 that puts out 425 hp. Other new options on the COPO Camaro include a manual transmission, new front springs, and some small tweaks to the styling.

Individuals interested in purchasing a COPO Camaro must enter a pool (at chevroletperformance.com) from which 69 buyers will randomly be selected. In 2012, more than 3,000 people were interested in buying one of the drag-strip only cars. Each car will get a sequenced build serial number matched to the engine, and will start at a base price of $86,000. All COPO Camaros come with an NHRA approved roll cage and safety equipment.

For an extra fee, COPO Camaro buyers can now participate in Chevy’s Performance’s Build Your Own COPO Engine program that allows the buyer to go to the brand’s plant in Wixom, Mich. and help assemble their motors.

Buyers interested in purchasing a COPO Camaro have until Thursday, March 7 to submit their name.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/03/2013-chevy-copo-camaro-gets-new-engine-options-manual-transmission.html/feed0more]]>Convertible COPO Camaro Raises $400,000 for Charityhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/01/convertible-copo-camaro-raises-400000-for-charity.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/01/convertible-copo-camaro-raises-400000-for-charity.html#commentsSat, 19 Jan 2013 22:59:01 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=177529Convertible COPO Camaro Raises $400,000 for CharityAt the 2012 SEMA Show, Chevrolet unveiled its 2012 COPO convertible, which just fetched a nice $400,000 towards charity at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Only two COPO Camaro convertibles exist, with the other one residing at the GM Heritage Center, which means it won’t be sold anytime soon. This particular unit is powered... more]]>

At the 2012 SEMA Show, Chevrolet unveiled its 2012 COPO convertible, which just fetched a nice $400,000 towards charity at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Only two COPO Camaro convertibles exist, with the other one residing at the GM Heritage Center, which means it won’t be sold anytime soon. This particular unit is powered by a 327-cubic inch V8 engine with a 4.0-liter supercharger and boasts 550 hp for the quarter mile.

GALLERY: 2012 COPO Camaro Convertible 2012 SEMA Show

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/01/convertible-copo-camaro-raises-400000-for-charity.html/feed1more]]>Last 2012 COPO Camaro is a Soft Top: 2012 SEMA Showhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/10/copo-camaro-convertible-2012-sema-show.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/10/copo-camaro-convertible-2012-sema-show.html#respondTue, 30 Oct 2012 21:04:44 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=163238Last 2012 COPO Camaro is a Soft Top: 2012 SEMA ShowChevrolet went in an unexpected direction with its final two drag-strip specific COPO Camaros, the last of which it just unveiled at the 2012 SEMA Show. What’s that difference? If you haven’t already noticed, it’s a convertible. Most dragsters would laugh at the idea and a Chevrolet representative even agreed that it’s unusual. So why... more]]>

Chevrolet went in an unexpected direction with its final two drag-strip specific COPO Camaros, the last of which it just unveiled at the 2012 SEMA Show.

What’s that difference? If you haven’t already noticed, it’s a convertible. Most dragsters would laugh at the idea and a Chevrolet representative even agreed that it’s unusual. So why did the brand build it? “Because we can,” he said with a smile.

And why not? The car was a smash hit that sold out with striking speed. As the 69th and final 2012 COPO to be built, the car will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson and is the only convertible being sold to the public.

That is, unless Chevrolet plans to build another drop top dragster in 2013 — the brand also just announced that it will offer a second production run in light of how popular it was in 2012.

For those unfamiliar, Chevrolet offered buyers the choice between a 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 and a 5.3-liter V8 with the choice between a 2.9- and 4.0-liter supercharger. The majority of buyers opted for the larger, naturally aspirated engine, but the convertible features the smaller V8 and larger supercharger good for 550 hp.

Just like this year, the 2013 run will be limited to only 69 cars, and with Chevrolet reporting more than 3,000 hand raisers it’s going to be tough to get one.

Despite that, avid racing enthusiasts can still find their way into something very similar. That’s because Chevrolet also offers the lion’s share of parts found in its COPO Camaros through Chevrolet Performance including the engines.

GALLERY: 2012 COPO Camaro convertible 2012 SEMA Show

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/10/copo-camaro-convertible-2012-sema-show.html/feed0more]]>Chevrolet COPO Camaro Runs 8.88 Second Quarter Mile Videohttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/08/chevrolet-copo-camaro-runs-8-second-quarter-mile.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/08/chevrolet-copo-camaro-runs-8-second-quarter-mile.html#commentsTue, 14 Aug 2012 16:31:28 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=149842Chevrolet COPO Camaro Runs 8.88 Second Quarter Mile – VideoLast week, Chevrolet began delivery of its COPO Camaro, with only 69 ever to be sold for all drag racing enthusiasts nationwide. And just like that, one of them has conquered the quarter mile in 8.88 seconds. This particular COPO Camaro features the 5.3-liter supercharged V8 and easily proves that the COPO Camaro is the... more]]>

Last week, Chevrolet began delivery of its COPO Camaro, with only 69 ever to be sold for all drag racing enthusiasts nationwide. And just like that, one of them has conquered the quarter mile in 8.88 seconds.

This particular COPO Camaro features the 5.3-liter supercharged V8 and easily proves that the COPO Camaro is the fastest Camaro model ever built. According to the video poster, it is vehicle number 3, but essentially the first vehicle to head into the hands of owners. Vehicle number 1 was a prototype, while number 2 is heading to a museum.

We’re not entirely convinced that the car was untouched before it went to the track, but if it is indeed stock, the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet and the Mopar Challenger Drag Pak have their work cut out for them.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/08/chevrolet-copo-camaro-runs-8-second-quarter-mile.html/feed2more]]>COPO Camaro Delivery Begins Videohttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/08/copo-camaro-delivery-begins-video.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/08/copo-camaro-delivery-begins-video.html#respondThu, 09 Aug 2012 22:02:21 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=149250COPO Camaro Delivery Begins – VideoIt doesn’t matter what side you fall on, the muscle car wars have never been hotter now that Chevrolet has officially begun delivering its COPO Camaro to owners. As the fastest Camaro it has ever built, the COPO is aimed to fight with Ford’s Mustang Cobra Jet which is also a purpose-built drag car. In... more]]>

It doesn’t matter what side you fall on, the muscle car wars have never been hotter now that Chevrolet has officially begun delivering its COPO Camaro to owners.

As the fastest Camaro it has ever built, the COPO is aimed to fight with Ford’s Mustang Cobra Jet which is also a purpose-built drag car. In the Chevy’s case, there are three engine options: a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V8, a 5.3-liter V8 featuring a 2.9-liter supercharger, and another 5.3-liter V8 with a 4.0-liter supercharger.

Not intended for street use, the car is built to NHRA specifications with a roll cage, solid rear axle and a Powerglide automatic transmission meant specifically for drag racing.

Pricing information is irrelevant at this point because every car is spoken for, but were you one of the lucky 69 new owners, you would know that the starting price for ownership is $89,000.